Max Plante is tons of fun to watch out there on a line with his brother, 2022 NHL Draft Eligible Zam Plante, for the Hermantown Hawks. Max is such a quick skater and his edgework makes him so slippery on and off the puck. His intelligence in the offensive zone really shines through and he does a great job to get himself into scoring areas and once he is there he wastes no time in firing the puck. He is a shooter first and foremost and with his tireless work rate and a willingness to get in tight to those dirty scoring areas he is able to find success. He does need to make better decisions at when to take players on and when to be more patient and wait for play to develop, but that will likely come with a little maturing. A lot of his playing time comes in the offensive end so his defensive play is something I look forward to seeing more of but Hermantown doesn’t often find themselves on the back foot so it’s just tidbits here and there.
Scouting Report
EVALUATED 15/06/2021
Joel Henderson
Director of Scouting
Event
I decided to choose games against Shattuck-St. Mary’s to watch to see how he stacked up against the top-tier talent and Max was up to the tough challenge. There is certainly quickness and a smooth quality to his skating strides especially in his turns and edgework. He gets a lower center of gravity which can shift and propel him laterally without losing much speed at all. The overall acceleration and length of his stride can certainly continue to improve but that is fine. Against a well skating team, he kept up to the pace and certainly could dictate that pace with open space. It wasn’t a clear separation element though and with him being a bit undersized unless he had ample space in the neutral zone to pick up speed and use his agility. I really like when he has the puck in his hip pocket on the half-wall because that way he can fully survey the ice and make those deceptive finesse passes cross seam or down low. He has his head up, shows a pretty good slingshot style wrist shot, and certainly understands space and team play on zone entries. When guys were able to catch up to him along the boards, he knew he needed to pass the puck quickly and a couple times he got caught. That edgework and evading speed will be key to him moving forward as a high-end puck carrier once zone play is established.
Scouting Report
EVALUATED 30/09/2020
Puck Preps
Event
Second Round
As far as hockey IQ goes, Max Plante is at very near the top of the list among 2006s in North America and part of that is by necessity. At just 5'5 120 lbs, Plante has to mentally be a step ahead of his opponents to be as effective as he is at this point in his physical development. Given how he thinks the game, it shouldn't surprise that Plante has NHL pedigree, his dad Derek being a 9-year NHL veteran most notably with the Buffalo Sabres. Max's anticipation and ability to elude defenders is elite, along with his play-making abilities. As he adds size and strength to his frame, Plante has the opportunity to be as good as anyone in this class.
Skating
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
8
Puck Skills
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
Hockey IQ
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9.5
Playmaking
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
Scoring
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
8
Physicality
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
7
Defense
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
7.5
Overall
8.29
Game Reports
EVALUATED 18/11/2022
Joel Henderson
Director of Scouting
Game Information
2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge: USA vs Canada White
With how they have arranged the lines, I think Max has found a terrific perimeter playmaking role and has fit in seamlessly already. He does not need to move through high danger areas to attempt to push into the middle, draw attention, and pass into the slot. His hesitation assist where he stared down the goaltender and slipped it into the goal mouth for a tap in was beautiful. Team USA has a few heavier shooters who are gifted at finding shooting space in the slot area whether it’s off the cycle or the rush. Max has the puck control and the IQ to find them with consistency.
Game Reports
EVALUATED 06/11/2022
Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Canada
Game Information
2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge: USA vs Sweden
Another game, another set of points for Max Plante. The first assist comes from the entirety of the Swedish team overcommitting to Plante’s side of the ice, leaving a massive lane Rheaume-Mullen to capitalize on. All Plante had to do was be patient and wait for DRM to get into the perfect spot and thread a pass through the defensive triangle. A secondary assist comes in later in the game as he moves the puck to Bednarik at the goal line, and another assist comes in the third period that demonstrates his patience and deception as Plante bides his time for Pardue to get into the slot for a dangerous shot on goal.
Game Reports
EVALUATED 06/11/2022
Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Canada
Game Information
2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge: USA vs Czechia
Another great game from Max Plante where his tenacity and motor allowed him to be a constant annoyance, while also being the reason he was able to set up a goal for Kristian Epperson. Plante was clever enough to recognize that Epperson already had the net front cover as Hensler was taking the OZ, so he drifted off to the left in preparation of any rebound. Needless to say, this pays off as he corrals and redirects the puck right towards his teammate for the goal.
Game Reports
EVALUATED 06/11/2022
Sam McGilligan
Regional Scout - Canada
Game Information
2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge: USA vs. Finland
There were more than a few occasions where I noticed Max Plante’s presence on the ice, usually as a result of his effort combined with his advanced movement. Plante’s skating ability earned him plenty of positive impact moments in this game off the puck, whether it’s opening passing lanes for his linemates or hunting a puck carrier down in order to force them to make a decision. His two highlight moments are both passes: the first being a centering pass to the high danger slot that he creates out of a lateral shift, and the other being a primary assist to Eisermann’s first goal. I expect a lot of great things from Plante at this event.